B C CHAPTER 7 NATIVE AMERICANS

B C HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Strangers due to differences in race, material culture, beliefs, and behavior. Europeans showed little interest in understanding them Population in “U.S.” territory about 6 to 10 million Several hundred tribes, … discrete languages, … lifestyles Lived in harmony with the land

B C Perspective Cont. Europeans reflected ethnocentric views Condemned Native American culture Considered the indigenous native savages Others idolized them as uncorrupted children Stereotype often negative, as self- justification of treatment –Cruel, … treacherous, … lying,.. Dirty heathens “What is the stereotype today?”

B C Historical Cont. We over generalize about Native Americans, … as one people –Differ by: language, … social structure, … values, … practices, … –Around 300 different languages in 1492 –556 tribal entities recognized by the BIA Shared physical characteristics –Thick straight black hair, … little facial, body hair, … prominent cheek bones, … Redskin?

B C Historical Cont. Whites were the newcomers, … immigrants The relations that developed: –Distrust, … uneasy truces, … violent hostilities –Growing antagonisms, … At issue: Whose way of life would prevail? –How would the land be used? Must understand the roles of : –Ethnocentrism, … stereotyping, …. Cultural differences, … power differentials, …

B C Early Encounters Reflect differences in culture, … knowledge, … and lifestyle Columbus’s first impressions, … Arawak –Reflects European ethnocentrism Spanish put the Arawak into slave like conditions Native populations began to decline –Disease, … warfare, … self-destruction

B C Early Encounters Cont. The Dichotomy of views –The Noble Savage or Blood thirsty Barbarian Fr. Bartolome de las Casas –Naïve, … ability to learn, … willing to co-exist Appealed to King Charles V –Humane treatment for Native Americans –Won his appeal, … altered Spanish policy Spanish began to use Africans as slave labor

B C Cultural Strains When Whites were few in number, … Natives helped them to survive As more Europeans immigrated, … relations became more strained Resulting interaction between the two cultures, … disadvantage for Natives –Lost their land, … lost self sufficiency, … became economically dependent Whites began insist on compliance to their demands and interests

B C Differing Values Benjamin Franklin’s example, … 1744 Treaty between Whites and Iroquois Reflect the attitudes of both Native Americans and Whites Iroquois influence on the U.S. Constitution –The “Great Law of Peace” –Gave each of five tribes an equal voice –Guaranteed Religious and political freedom –Had an amendment and impeachment process

B C Values and Social Structure Marked similarities among native tribes –Intimate relationship with nature, … not abuse the land, –Maximized the use of animal prey, … “Buffalo” –Tribe or Clan ownership of land, not individual –Extended family concept of child rearing Clear cut and different gender roles –Cooperative but not egalitarian, … hunting, … clearing land, … tending crops, … food gathering, …

B C Stereotyping of Natives Bloodthiristy: some were, … most sought to avoid conflict Would take Scalp: not a common practice, … some believe this was learned from Whites Stoic, Silent, Aloof: A device to preserve dignity and respect, avoid shame and ridicule Backward, Unsophisticated

B C Changes in Govt. Policy European and U.S. Govt. policy changed frequently, over the years (p. 249) 1763; King George III, “Independent Nations” 1778; Continental Congress, reaffirms policy 1787; Northwest Territory Ordinance 1824; Bureau of Indian Affairs created 1830; Indian Removal Act

B C Govt. Policy Cont ; “Trail of Tears” ; Most Reservations Created; Forced segregation becomes a policy 1871; Tribes are no longer Independent Nations 1887; Dawes Act: Reservations surveyed, divided into tracts, surplus land sold 1898; Curtis Act; Terminates tribal governments, President to appoint chiefs

B C Govt. Policy Cont. 1924; Indian Citizenship Act; Grants U.S. Citizenship to Native Americans 1934; Indian Reorganization Act, ends allotment, encourages self government 1953; Termination Act; Authorizes elimination of the reservation system 1973; Menominee Restoration Act; Revokes the Termination Act. 1975; Indian Self-Determination Act; Expands Indian self control

B C Present-Day Native American Life Population –2.5 million in 2000 –Almost twice the national birth rate Employment –Exceeds 50% on most reservations –95% on the Rosebud reservation Tribal Enterprises –Successes

B C Present-Day Cont. The New Buffalo –Casinos Life Expectancy –Average life span is 45 years –10 years less than the national average Death Rates Alcohol Abuse –Five times the national average

B C Present-Day Cont. Education –Senate Sub-committee on Indian Education Housing –Open Air Slums –35% don’t have safe water, and sewage –Mortality Rate Natural Resources –Exploitation –Navajo Indian reservation

B C Present-Day Cont. Dances with Garbage and Nuclear Waste –Disposal companies, … toxic waste –The Mescalero of Southern New Mexico Nuclear radioactive waste storage, (2 billion) Water Rights –Water is considered their most critical problem

B C